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Scottish Executive SEA Templates
Template 4 - Post-Adoption SEA Statement (with integrated guidance notes)

Introductory guidance notes on post-adoption procedures

2.34 When to take post-adoption action

• As soon as is reasonably practicable after adoption of the PPS, the Responsible Authority must provide specified information.

2.35 Provide information to Consultation Authorities

• The Responsible Authority must inform the Consultation Authorities of the adoption of the PPS and send a copy, as adopted, along with a statement setting out the particulars referred to in Section 18(3) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. (In the Scottish Executive SEA tool kit, this statement is referred to as the post-adoption SEA Statement).
• It is not a statutory requirement. However, to ease administration, the Responsible Authority is asked to send this information via the Scottish Executive SEA Gateway.

2.36 Display information on Responsible Authority web-site

• Title and copy of the PPS as adopted and date of adoption.
• PPS, Environmental Report and post-adoption SEA Statement (see overleaf).
• Address and times at which these documents may be inspected (or copy obtained).
• That inspection is free of charge.

2.37 Make information available at Responsible Authority principal office

• PPS as adopted, Environmental Report and the post-adoption SEA Statement. These to be available for inspection, at the authority's principal office free of charge at all reasonable times. (Responsible Authorities are not required to provide copies free of charge and may charge a reasonable amount for copies).

2.38 Bring information to the attention of the public

• The Responsible Authority must take, or secure the taking of, such steps as it considers appropriate to bring the following to the attention of the public (steps must include publication in at least one newspaper circulating in the area affected by the PPS).
• Title of the PPS and date adopted.
• Website and office address at which the PPS, Environmental Report and the post-adoption SEA Statement may be inspected or from which a copy may be obtained.
• Times at which these documents may be inspected and that inspection is free of charge.

2.39 Length and level of detail of the post-adoption SEA statement

• Template 4 provides a framework for the post-adoption SEA Statement.
• The length of the post-adoption SEA Statement will depend very much on the nature of the PPS, the complexity of the Environmental Report and the number of consultation responses received.
• The size of the sections and boxes in this template is not a guide to the amount of detail required as that will depend on the nature of the PPS.

Post-Adoption SEA Statement - Cover Note

Post - Adoption SEA Statement

Strategic Environmental Assessment Process

[insert title of PPS] has been subject to a process of Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA), as required under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. This has included the following activities:

• Taking into account the views of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Ministers (Historic Scotland) regarding the scope and level of detail that was appropriate for the Environmental Report
• Preparing an Environmental Report on the likely significant effects on the environment of the draft PPS which included consideration of:
  • the baseline data relating to the current state of the environment;
  • links between the PPS and other relevant strategies, policies, plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives;
  • existing environmental problems affecting the PPS;
  • the plan's likely significant effects on the environment (positive and negative);
  • measures envisaged for the prevention, reduction and offsetting of any significant adverse effects;
  • an outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives chosen;
  • monitoring measures to ensue that any unforeseen environmental effects will be identified allowing for appropriate remedial action to be taken.
• Consulting on the Environmental Report
• Taking into account the Environmental Report and the results of consultation in making final decisions regarding the PPS
• Committing to monitoring the significant environmental effects of the implementation of the PPS. This will also identify any unforeseen adverse significant environmental effects and to enable taking appropriate remedial action.

How Environmental Considerations have been Integrated into [The PPS] and how the Environmental Report has been taken into Account

Table 1 may be a useful format for presenting this section of the post-adoption SEA statement.

Table 1

How opinions expressed during the consultation have been taken into account (including any consultation required with other EU member states)

Table 2 -Lists Consultation Responses and sets out how they have been taken into account

Reasons for choosing the [ PPS] as adopted, in the light of other reasonable alternatives

Measures that are to be taken to monitor significant environmental effects of the implementation of the PPS

Note - it may be useful to include a concluding paragraph here

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